Pink Floyd legend David Gilmour has had a pop at The X Factor, describing it as “ghastly”. Yikes.

The veteran singer and guitarist , 68, who launched his career with the progressive rock band in the 60s, has criticised the fast turnaround of the contestants on Simon Cowell’s ITV Saturday night franchise.

Referring to X Factor alumni – who often shoot straight to the top of the charts after once appearing on the series – he slams the lack of hard work and long hours put into the craft.

David argues: “But they haven’t come up the hard way like we did.

“I don’t know who the young bands are now, there’s nobody I Iike.”

Speaking on Monday night at David Nicholls’ launch for new novel Us at London’s St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, Dave , adds: “When we started we worked hard for what we believed in and didn’t need anybody to tell us who we were or what and how we were doing.”

Dave’s comment comes as Pink Floyd, now just himself and Nick Mason, 70, are set to release an album of never-before-heard material on November 10, to be called The Endless River.

The pair have been secretly holed up in the studio for most of the year.

Much of the inspiration for their new record is unreleased material originally made during sessions for Pink Floyd’s 1994 collection The Division Bell.

The band — whose 1977 album Animals had a picture of a pig flying over London’s Battersea Power Station on its cover — have also called in legendary Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera as producer.

A source close to the project tells 3am: “There is a lot of excitement about the release and fans won’t be disappointed.”